Welcome to the Piano World Piano ForumsOver 2.5 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

I will kick us off:1) Get fitter2) Take a cold shower each day (what a feeling!)3) Dont spend so much money4) Listen to a greater variety of music. (That is something I'm fairly good at already. Today I bought two albums - Hammerfall [epic metal] and the soundtrack for Narnia [orchestral]. Myself and the shopkeeper had a wee laugh about that)5) Eat breakfast each day (something I'm not good at!)

Well i hope you got a good tour of the country. Believe it or not, although I only live 26 miles from Edinburgh, I have never been around the castle! Is it good??!!

Had a quick look around for some Vienna Boys Choir stuff. Their homepage has a couple of CD's, but the track 'Silent Night' is listed in English.

However, on Amazon.co.uk they have an album entitled 'Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht', so the track will be on there.

An even better option for you, on Amazon.com, they have a 3 disc box set of Christmans music for something like $13.99. Track 18 on CD1 is the track you are looking for - 'Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht'. Ships in 1-2 days. Will post the link here:

You would think the tour would have taken us to St. Andrews! Instead, the tour started in Edinburgh, then it was a lot of the bus touring to Wales, with us seeing a lot of sheep. Yes, go check out the castle.

Thank you for the tip on the CD. I did see that one on Amazon, and yes, I have ordered things from Amazon.

Hello again,Nice talking to someone from Scotland. I will remember how in the restaurants, we were not rushed through a meal. In fact, we had to chase down the waiter to get our bill. If you want, go to Tauck Tours and you will find our tour for the UK, though this was six years ago.

That is okay about the CD. I will probably order it.

My piano pieces (well, I guess we are off your new thread of non-piano goals 2006) is continuing with Clementi and Chopin.

I did some of Moonlight Sonata (the second movement I believe is easier than the first movement).

I thought you were a student and was wondering what you were studying other than piano music.

Ha ha - people coming to the thread to give their 'Non-piano goals of 2006' will have a surprise when they see our wee chat going on! Not exactly related to the topic at hand, but who cares really!

Yeah, restaurants are fairly casual about the time issue - especially the more rural you go.

Had a look at the site - i think you have seen more of the country than me now! As for the USA - I've only ever been to Detroit and upstate Michigan (Mackinaw Island?).

I have heard of Clementi - some people recommend some of his easier stuff as good starting points for classical piano. I had a look a while back, but I cant remember what I was checking out.

What Chopin are you playing? He's probably my fav. composer - bought a good few CD's of his music over the past year.

As for the 'student' thing. I graduated from University of Aberdeen in July (Geography). However, i'm sort of working a small job until I find something to call a 'career'. I just left my status as student because i didnt know what else i was!

Okay, my main non-piano goal is to get promoted to full professor this summer. If that doesn't work, I may opt for Plan B, which is Resign From the University in Disgust and devote my life to playing the piano, er, stay-at-home mother status.

Euan, were you joking about taking a cold shower every day? Yikes! If our hot water heater goes out, I don't bathe. It's as simple as that.

Weight loss and more exercise would've been on my list, except I know from bitter and ample experience it would be a futile gesture.

Originally posted by Monica Kern: Okay, my main non-piano goal is to get promoted to full professor this summer. If that doesn't work, I may opt for Plan B, which is Resign From the University in Disgust and devote my life to playing the piano, er, stay-at-home mother status.

Euan, were you joking about taking a cold shower every day? Yikes! If our hot water heater goes out, I don't bathe. It's as simple as that.

[/b]

What's your area of academic study at University?

And yes, I'm being serious about the showers. I've read that they are good for you - something about helping the circulation. (and they are a good 'wake up' in the morning!)

And to ILM:I'm afraid I've only been fully playing the piano for 2 1/2months, so I havent had a chance to look at op.64 (2). In fact, I even had to look up what it was - havent explored Chopin's Valses yet

Just returned from a Scottish Chamber Orchestra performance. It was a Viennese New Year gig, so lots of Strauss. WIth a bit of Brahms thrown in. No piano, but it was really good!

Sorry to hear about the sprained finger how long will it take to heal? Are you still practising with the other hand, or are you taking some time off altogether?

The Concert was great. Not only the music, but the general atmosphere. Its not your typical 'high brow' sort of gig, its just a bit of fun, and everyone knows that. The conductor was quite playful, holding the first note of 'Blue Danube' for a painful length of time, as well as 'conducting' the audience to clap during some of the other pieces. Great stuff, and the way music should be - putting a smile on everyones face!

(at one point, he was getting us all clapping in time with the music, then cut short the piece [intentionally]. Of course, most people gave a clap or two more, not expecting the finish. The conductor quickyl turns round and points into the audience with the baton, as if it point our the people that made the 'error'. Brilliant!}

Originally posted by Monica Kern: Okay, my main non-piano goal is to get promoted to full professor this summer. If that doesn't work, I may opt for Plan B, which is Resign From the University in Disgust and devote my life to playing the piano, er, stay-at-home mother status.

Euan, were you joking about taking a cold shower every day? Yikes! If our hot water heater goes out, I don't bathe. It's as simple as that.

Weight loss and more exercise would've been on my list, except I know from bitter and ample experience it would be a futile gesture. [/b]

Good luck with your plans... Plan B might be fun at first, but do you think you can survive mentally by staying home.

Oh, don't worry about losing weight. Once you start practicing 6 hours a day you won't be eating much, and piano practice does a lot for burning off calories.

I had to look up the name of the piece, and yes, it was indeed the Radetzky March. I never actually knew the name of it although I have heard the piece many times. It was played as an encore, so it wasn't named in the programme either. Great fun, like you say!!

The weather over here has been pretty good recently. The snow has thawed and the temperature has been fairly good for the time of year.

As is common sense - take your time with the recovery (doesnt sound like you are 'pushing it', which is good), and you will be back playing your Chopin in no time!

Good luck with your plans... Plan B might be fun at first, but do you think you can survive mentally by staying home.[/QB][/QUOTE]

That's my big fear, actually. My husband would be delighted if I quit (he'd probably save money by not having to pay the nanny and he'd definitely enjoy not hearing me gripe about UK any more), but I do worry that I would go brain-dead, even if I did play piano all day.

Sorry to hear about your pay cut, John. As bad as things are at UK (years of 0-3% raises), at least we've never had to take a cut. Though I am not at all happy that we will be hiring a new social psychologist this year fresh out of grad school who will be making $10,000 more a year than I am now after 18 years at UK!! (It's things like that that make me want to quit...)

1) Read more books2) Keep a more consistent schedule at the gym3) Be more organized (This is a perenial favorite of mine, which probably says a lot in itself)4) Feed my ears (Buy more music for my collection)5) Finish my Master's Degree.5) Learn to find happiness in everyday accomplishments.

1) What sort of books are you into, and what sort are you going to attempt to read more of?

I like (meaningful) fiction and historical nonfiction with a little philosophy thrown in for good measure. I always intend to read certain books and get sidetracked or forget about it. This year I started a new trend of putting all the books I want to read in a pile. Whenever I have idle time or feel restless I grab a book off the top of the stack and read it...

Quote:

2) And when you are 'feeding your ears', what sort of music do you like? Are you solely into classical / piano, or do you have varied taste?

Pretty much anything with an interesting melody or harmonic movement... Right now I'm listening to Herbie Hancock (jazz), Radiohead (rock/alt) and some Debussy preludes(classical/impressionistic).

By the way, part of "feeding my ears" is related to trying to transcribing some solos by ear and self-teaching myself some jazz standards but this was suppossed to be "non-piano" related goals. ;-)

Good luck with your plans... Plan B might be fun at first, but do you think you can survive mentally by staying home.[/b]

That's my big fear, actually. My husband would be delighted if I quit (he'd probably save money by not having to pay the nanny and he'd definitely enjoy not hearing me gripe about UK any more), but I do worry that I would go brain-dead, even if I did play piano all day.

Sorry to hear about your pay cut, John. As bad as things are at UK (years of 0-3% raises), at least we've never had to take a cut. Though I am not at all happy that we will be hiring a new social psychologist this year fresh out of grad school who will be making $10,000 more a year than I am now after 18 years at UK!! (It's things like that that make me want to quit...)

Euan, I teach psychology, with a focus in social psychology. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Working at home does have its benefits. I did it while working for a family business. I saved a ton in travel expenses even though I did the deliveries, and I didn't have to go anywhere when it snowed. Lunch and snacks were no more than 10 steps from the kitchen, and I could work with a cat or two in my lap.

The downside is, I went crazy because I missed the social interaction with other people besides my family. I ended up working a 2nd shift job until the company closed in addition to working for the family. I was a lot younger then, and the thought of working from 9am-6pm at home plus 7-12am 2nd shift didn't phase me at all. This didn't count going for piano lessons too!

Yeah my job sucks! It's more than just the pay cut, and I have definitely started the ball moving to get out of here. The thing is, not only did we all take a cut, but we are all doing more for a lot less. We haven't had any raises in three years, and then the cuts came so the morale is pretty bad.

I was thinking more about your post, as I am writing this. UK is hiring a new kid at a lot higher salary than you are making after nearly 20 years. This sounds like an age discrimination thing! If you want to push back a little, you might bring this up when things get heated.

Amazon.co.uk ReviewNot many composers have worked with Elvis Presley, Cliff Richards, The Dubliners, and Planxty. Such is the strange musical world of Phil Coulter, who has recorded a series of Tranquility records that emphasize lush orchestral arrangements of various national folk music from Ireland to America, and on this title, Scotland. "Lush" is the operative word here, as he spins classic Scots melodies like "Ye Banks and Braes" and "Auld Lang Syne" into Mantovani-like flourishes for piano and orchestra, punched up with a fuzzy but gentle electric guitar and drums to give it "punch". It's the apex of Celtic nostalgia, and you will love it or hate it based solely on your tolerance for lots of airy strings, rippling piano lines, and reverbed, mountainous flute sounds. Coulter has had a lot of gold and platinum recordings over the years, so there's plenty of fans for his Celtic lounge act. --Louis Gibson

Hmmm, sounds interesting! Might have to give it a try, although I promised to wait for my next paycheque before buying new music. And it takes '1 to 2 weeks' for me, anyway. Still, gotta be worth a shot! Thank you!

Am writing this after several alcoholic beverages, and just before i head for some sleep, so dont take this as serious opinion:

I feel like there is a feeling of 'the grass is always greener...'. Sort of thing. Maybe coming from a different place, you listen to Scottish music and picture the romance, the atmosphere and the landscapes and this helps with your appreciation of the music (i am probably miles off course, but nevermind!)

In the same way, I have a CD of Russian folk songs, and i love listening to the language as well as the unusual melodies and dynamics.

Maybe there is a case of liking things that are different to the 'everyday' things you hear. We want to picture ourselves in a different land, and almost have a certain fantasy about music and a place, which makes you like it even more.

To give me a better picture - what is it you like about scottish music? Words, music, imagery, romance, scales, instruments?

And i suppose that living over here installs a certain aspect of rebellion (not very much, but subtle) in that it is 'uncool' to like scottish things when they have been pretty much rammed down our throats all our lives. In the same way as a tourist might love the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, or marvel at the tranquility of Scotland, if you live here all your life, it becomes normal.

Therefore 'Scottish' music to me is nothing more than a regular occurance on certain radio channels, and things that i hear very often. I wouldnt call it 'special', more like 'normal'. (although it is played less than popular music).

I can certainly appreciate the talent required to play scottish music, as it is certainly not easy.

When I first went to university, I was walking towards my room, when I could hear accordian music coming from two doors down. It was quite loud, but I remember thinking to myself 'I dont mind if that guy plays all day long - it sounds fantastic!'. He was very good scottish accordian player and had been on tv before. Needless to say, we got all our friends together for an impromptu ceilidh in one of our rooms (until the warden stopped us!).

Now that I have reached perfection, I don't make New Years resolutions any more. I would like to stop working, but somehow work brings a certain order to one's life.I would like to stop drinking, but somehow drinking brings a certain disorder to one's life.I would like to learn to REALLY play the piano, but who has the time to practice with all that work and late night brandys.I would like to become a better person, but I'm afraid I would be totally boring.So, as you can all see, there is no hope. I'll just continue on as I have till now and be a burden to my family as I get older. As Piet Hein says:Den bön man mest forgjeves bader den gamle: Gid jeg gad.

_________________________
Some men are music lovers. Others make love without it.

Originally posted by ilikemozart: Good morning Euan (by the time you read this),

Some of the words and melody makes me pictures someone listening to it while downing several drams of Scotch.

The words and melody of some of the songs seem so defeatist, but it sure can be fun listening sometimes. Kind of like some of Schuberts pieces that sound like he wrote them during rough times.

Oh well, Auld Lang Syne and a Happy 2006 to you. I think I will now listen to some Phil Coulter's Scottish Tranquility. [/b]

Morning!

You're absolutely right with the idea of 'defeatist lyrics', but then I suppose Scottish attitudes are fairly defeatist sometimes (thats a sweeping statement). All i mean is that nowadays, Scotland has become synonomous with failing, especially in sport. And i'm not sure if you have seen the movie Trainspotting, but there is a classic quotation about just how rubbish Scotland really is!

Still, I am tempted by the idea of picking up the violin in my attic and learning some pieces (i suppose it would become a 'fiddle'!)

And lastly, in the same way that tourists have a habit of mis-pronouncing Edinburgh, or Toronto - the word 'Scotch' does not exist over here

Originally posted by ilikemozart: Good morning Euan (by the time you read this),

Some of the words and melody makes me pictures someone listening to it while downing several drams of Scotch.

The words and melody of some of the songs seem so defeatist, but it sure can be fun listening sometimes. Kind of like some of Schuberts pieces that sound like he wrote them during rough times.

Oh well, Auld Lang Syne and a Happy 2006 to you. I think I will now listen to some Phil Coulter's Scottish Tranquility. [/b]

Morning!

You're absolutely right with the idea of 'defeatist lyrics', but then I suppose Scottish attitudes are fairly defeatist sometimes (thats a sweeping statement). All i mean is that nowadays, Scotland has become synonomous with failing, especially in sport. And i'm not sure if you have seen the movie Trainspotting, but there is a classic quotation about just how rubbish Scotland really is!

Still, I am tempted by the idea of picking up the violin in my attic and learning some pieces (i suppose it would become a 'fiddle'!)

And lastly, in the same way that tourists have a habit of mis-pronouncing Edinburgh, or Toronto - the word 'Scotch' does not exist over here

4. Pay the gas bill so I DON'T have to take cold showers... brrrrr I'll take a massage for circulation over a cold shower

6. Become less "midi-challenged" [/b]

One of my goals was to actually take a cold shower every day. Unfortunately, that only lasted until the 4th January. The problem was that it was just too cold outside. I'm fine doing it in summer. I love the sensation after a cold shower!

I should maybe join you with number 6. I have a computer, a digital piano, and no idea what to do next. I dont even know what midi can do for me. I just hear the jargon (controllers, interfaces, channels) and i switch off.

One of my goals was to actually take a cold shower every day. Unfortunately, that only lasted until the 4th January. The problem was that it was just too cold outside. I'm fine doing it in summer. I love the sensation after a cold shower!

I should maybe join you with number 6. I have a computer, a digital piano, and no idea what to do next. I dont even know what midi can do for me. I just hear the jargon (controllers, interfaces, channels) and i switch off. ]

I confess I DO take cold showers in the summer, usually at summer camp. You get really cold, then you can sleep in the hot tent.

I've finally decided on an RD700sx and will be ordering that this week from Full Compass. After I figure out the keyboard, I'll attempt to figure out how to connect it to the computer and try some simple recording. Maybe I should get some prozac first.... They need to start a new forum topic for the "midi challenged"

I'll keep you posted. Shammy

_________________________
...I asked my mother if I was a gifted child...she said they certainly wouldn't have paid for me.